Page 110 of Bred by the Alien Prince

My eyes widened in surprise. This was news to me.

"But then the fighting started," he continued solemnly. "I was forced to call off the wedding. Still, we saw each other in secret whenever we could."

He let out a heavy sigh, the weight of those memories evident on his face. "After my father was killed, I inherited the throne and the burden of the war. Keeping you and your Damma away from the palace, hidden from the politics and schemes, it was all for your protection. Until I could become powerful enough that none would dare question me."

I listened intently, struggling to process this new information about my parents' past. All those years of distance and separation, it was to keep us safe?

"That's why I wanted you to live here in the palace," he explained. "You were my firstborn son. I always intended for you to take over as King one day."

I shook my head slowly. "I don't wish to become King, nor a rebel leader. I will still protect Ashan and his people, but this little adventure has changed me. I believed fighting a war was all I could do, that I was merely a warrior, and when the war ends, there is nothing left. But now I understand the lesson you were trying to teach me. I have something to live for, and I don't want my children to grow up in some war-torn galaxy."

A small smile played on my father's lips. "Then Xil is my next best choice, I suppose."

I couldn't help but chuckle. "Who are you kidding? Xil is the better choice. He's responsible, level-headed..."

My words were cut off by a deafening explosion that rocked the castle walls. Debris rained down as the ground shook beneath our feet. I instinctively shielded my father as the chaos unfolded around us.

CHAPTER 45

Caspian

I stirred awake groggily, my vision blurred and senses disoriented. The first thing I noticed was the cold, slick sensation enveloping my body. Thick, clear fluid surrounded me up to my chest as I laid strapped to some kind of medical pod. Tubes and wires looped around me, connected to beeping monitors. Panic seized my chest as I struggled against the restraints, splashing the medicinal-smelling liquid. Where was I? What was happening to me?

As my eyesight sharpened, I took in the sterile white lab. Trays of menacing surgical instruments gleamed under the harsh lights. My heart raced as I craned my neck, spotting two Valisians conversing nearby - a red-headed one in sleek black armor and a white-coated one who had to be a doctor. Straining to hear them over the pounding in my ears, I caught snatches of their heated exchange.

"I want the infant specimens now," the armored Valisian barked, "along with tissue samples from the host. Extract them immediately."

The doctor held up his hands in a placating gesture. "Your Highness, please understand. Allowing the subject to carry to term would be safest for-"

"You said extraction was possible!" The redhead snarled, cutting him off. "That we could keep them all alive. I want it done, and I want it done NOW!"

His aggressive tone made me flinch involuntarily. The doctor seemed cowed into submission, nodding shakily. Just then, an urgent beeping emanated from the armored one's comms device. Scowling, he snapped into it, "What?!"

I couldn't make out the response, but it sounded panicked. The Valisian's eyes widened before narrowing in anger. "Ships approaching? Well, open fire then, you fools! Hold them off!"

Ships? Was it Lorvian coming to rescue me? A flicker of hope sparked in my chest before being doused by fear again as the redhead rounded on me, noticing I was awake. He stalked over, looming above the pod with a sneer.

"Don't look so alarmed," he said, mockingly gentle. "I'm not going to kill you. At least not yet." He placed a hand on his armored chest. "I am Regis. I assume even a creature like you has heard of me?"

I swallowed thickly, trying to keep my voice steady. "I've heard of you, alright. And none of it was good."

To my surprise, Regis threw his head back and laughed. "You think I care what my siblings say about me? Please, I've heard it all. Their opinions mean nothing."

His face twisted into an expression of manic glee. "Soon, I will be crowned King, no matter what my father, mother, or pathetic siblings do to stop me. Especially that bastard Lorvian, always acting so high and mighty."

"Lorvian will come for me," I spat back with more confidence than I felt. "And when he does, he'll kill you for this."

Regis scoffed, unconcerned. "Oh, I'll make sure you and your little abominations are quite secure. Lorvian WILL come...and he'll bring his fleet to wage war for me. To fight Xil, Zantos, even our father for the throne. All to save his precious little Valiman."

"Valiman?" I repeated, confused and on edge. The word tasted foreign on my tongue.

"Yes, Valiman," Regis replied, looking quite pleased with himself. "My term for disgusting hybrids like you - half Valisian, half human. Rather clever, don't you think?"

I wrinkled my nose. "Actually, I think it sucks. Might want to go back to the drawing board on that one, champ."

Anger flashed in Regis's eyes but before he could retort, his comms beeped insistently again. Muttering curses, he stormed off, leaving me trembling and alone with my racing thoughts.

I tried to control my breathing, blinking back tears. Lorvian would find me, I told myself. He wouldn't let Regis hurt our babies. But what if he was too late? What if-

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